
Recalling when I was a youngster, the U.S. looked and felt like a shining and warm light. Laughter everywhere. The electricity in the air kept the heart beating euphorically. Hope and aspirations limitless. Proud to be an American, still am, but back then, it wasn't even a question.
It was a middle class neighborhood, I recall the family water mellon treats on the sunny front porch, first television on the block and the neighborhood gatherings.
And, as a young student, I thought "Everything was possible." Now, as I've experienced life, I realize "Anything is possible." The ominous, things we all think could never happen, today, do happen.
Today, our children will never have the same opportunities. Will never feel the same success of their parents. Will struggle. Will see and experience a declining U.S. living standard. (Right now, we are getting a glimpse but our children will be living it)
To try to explain this change, I coined the term "Unemployment Calibration" that defines the economic/demographic theory that corporate America’s outsourcing of jobs, coupled high technology eliminating jobs along with corporate greed, combined to create the killing fields of our Country's middle class. Consequently, every young student may never own a home, or enjoy a backyard barbecue. The housing market is paying the price dearly. Other industries are suffering as well.
Without hope, jobs and opportunity for our young, ultimately, America will have a lot of empty homes, empty dreams.
Sadly, America's arch enemies chuckle that the U.S. will someday have few middle class workers but only super rich and mostly poor, menial labor to cook french fries at fast food restaurants.
American Corporations outsourced both skilled and unskilled jobs. Result - irreversible high U.S. unemployment that will be 10%-20% forever. Not a good time for a young student. Students are left wondering, "Why did I get myself in such high student loan debt when there are no jobs in my field." Every day, I see students with degrees they can't use.
This theory of Unemployment Calibration cannot now be solved by Government policies in a global economy. My research suggests that as many as 40% of all Americans will never own their own home again.
The Housing Market is trapped. Unemployed or low wage Americans, all adding to the problem of an endless spiral of foreclosures, short sales and home price reductions. And, many young students witness the financial fall of their parents suffering in short sales and foreclosures. Any idea what it feels like to have the auctioneer outside your door with neighbors gathered bidding on your home? Many youngsters have witnessed this grave hurt and despair, when their minds are young, elastic and impressionable.
Since unemployment and low paying jobs will cause these young students to earn little income, home prices will need to fit into their budgets, causing future price decline.
And how does a youngster feel. The U.S. economy is on stilts, sustained by loans from foreign nations. Most Americans, including the young are gasping for the air of hope. And the youth don't know who to believe anymore, the democrats or the republicans, and for good reason. Nobody can fit a square into a circle.
Policies of one party over another, mean nothing. The U.S. has suffered economically under the republicans and now the democrats. There is indeed a message here. It's not about political policy.
For all of us adults, think of it this way: We've just been zapped by a bolt of toxic and deadly nuclear beam but we still feel fine, the sun is still shinning, and we feel no symptoms, but what's in store for us is that we expire in agony.
The youth of America are facing systemic, fundamental and structural economic changes in America. And all they hear is "Vote for me, Trust Me I'll fix it."
Our children will live and experience the actual U.S. financial decline and aftermath. Not possible? Anything is possible now. What say you?
Warmest,
Richard Michael Abraham
Comments
When I was a young adult I visited Sweden - homeland to my Mother. I was impressed by the beauty of the country and the warmth of the people. I was also struck by the sameness and complete lack of movtivation and inspiration of my age group peers. They drank way too much, I think to numb the pain of realizing at the very lift off point of life, their life and level of prosperity and success was pretty much predetermined. Ah, the beauty of the socialist state. They are were so curious - and envious of America. I had a very real feeling that any one of them would like to hide in my suitcase to get passage to the USA and its promise.
The economy wasn't great then - interest rates were sky high - but in spite of all of that, we were not on the mind squashing course we are on now.
If not every day, then certainly once a week minimum, I apoligize to my children for the mess my generation is leaving them. It makes me very, very sad.
Good to hear from you my friend, you always make me think and that, above all, is what I want my children to do - keep thinking!
Best,
Jeannie